Report of AAPM Task Group 219 on independent calculation‐based dose/MU verification for IMRT
Timothy C. Zhu, S Stathakis, Jennifer Clark, Wenzheng Feng, Dietmar Georg, Shannon Holmes, Stephen F. Kry, Chang‐Ming Charlie, Moyed Miften, D Mihailidis, Jean M. Moran, Niko Papanikolaou, Björn Poppe, Ying Xiao
Abstract
Independent verification of the dose per monitor unit (MU) to deliver the prescribed dose to a patient has been a mainstay of radiation oncology quality assurance (QA). We discuss the role of secondary dose/MU calculation programs as part of a comprehensive QA program. This report provides guidelines on calculation-based dose/MU verification for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) provided by various modalities. We provide a review of various algorithms for "independent/second check" of monitor unit calculations for IMRT/VMAT. The report makes recommendations on the clinical implementation of secondary dose/MU calculation programs; on commissioning and acceptance of various commercially available secondary dose/MU calculation programs; on benchmark QA and periodic QA; and on clinically reasonable action levels for agreement of secondary dose/MU calculation programs.